17 Ways To Get Free Roofing Leads
In order to get free roofing leads, you will have to put in the time rather than your money. There are a lot of ways to generate leads without spending money but it will require the time investment of you and your team. But it is possible to turn some of these tactics into a lifestyle that will continue producing results.
Google My Business
When it comes to free roofing leads, Google My Business is one of the most effective tools out there. By setting up a free business listing, you can increase your chances of being found by homeowners in your area who are searching for roofing services.
Set up your GMB account and be sure to fill in all the information about your company, such as your website and service information. Use the posts and products section as much as possible. Add pictures and information about your company. Make sure the address and name are the exact same here and across all platforms, like your website and other business listings.
And most important, get as many reviews as possible.
Other Business Listings
This option takes time and doesn't necessarily result in instant leads. But putting your information on business listings is a great place to start. There are many free business listing websites available to get your company listed all over the internet.
Make sure that all your info is correct. Some sites you might be familiar with are yelp, houzz, GMB, mapquest and more. Even though these sites might not be the most well known or technically a lead source. It benefits your website and your overall brand when it comes to having a strong online presence.
Referrals
One of the most common and effective ways to get free roofing leads is through referrals. When you have a satisfied customer, ask them for a referral. Not only are they likely to be happy to provide one, but they’ll also likely recommend you to their friends, family, and coworkers.
There are a few things you can do to make it easy for them. You can offer a discount or free service for anyone they refer to you. And ask more than once. Ask them when they sign the contract and again when the work is done. A year or so later, call them up to make sure they are still happy with the work, and then ask them again.
Offering A New Service
Offer new additional services to your past customers or any customer in general. If you have been doing a lot of roof repairs, go back and offer replacements or skylights. You can even offer services outside of roofing, such as siding, windows or gutters. Reach out to your past customers and let them know what new services you offer, it's a great reason to call them.
Past Customers
Past customers trust you. In general, your past customers are a great way to generate free roofing leads because if they hired you once they will be the most likely to hire you again. If you did a roof repair for someone, stay in contact with them each year so they don't forget you. And as mentioned above, you can offer them other services.
Neighbors
You have to religiously talk to the neighbor of any roof work you are doing, even if it's a simple roof inspection. If it's the middle of the day, swing back through the neighborhood on the weekend or evening and just talk to the neighbors. Knock on their door and simply explain how you worked on their neighbors home. Offer to give them a free inspection. Don't ask them if the need work, because they typically won't know they need maintenance. Or that a pipe flashing is cracked and leaking.
LinkedIn is a powerful networking tool for professionals of all industries. For roofing professionals, LinkedIn can be used to network with property managers or building owners to get leads.
To get started, create a profile that highlights your roofing experience and capabilities. In your profile, be sure to include a link to your website or portfolio so potential clients can learn more about your work.
Once you have created a strong profile, start connecting with property managers and building owners in your area. These connections can be found by searching LinkedIn’s “Groups” feature or using the advanced search function to find potential leads.
SEO On Your Website
Having a website doesn't mean you will get leads. You can actually do things to your website to make it show up more often in search engines. You can get started with search engine optimization (SEO) by choosing the right keywords to include on your website.
To find the best keywords for your roofing business, use a keyword research tool like Google AdWords Keyword Planner. This tool will help you identify which keywords are being searched for most often in your area.
SEO is a huge topic to cover so if you're interested in more information, see our SEO for roofing companies page or contact us today for a free website audit.
Free Networking Groups
Most cities will have free networking groups that you can attend, you can find these groups on Facebook, Meetup, or other social media sites. These groups are a great way to meet other local business owners and get your name out there.
When you attend free networking groups, be sure to bring plenty of business cards and be prepared to ask questions and listen because people like to talk, and when you listen, they feel good about themselves. And people remember how you made them feel. Get their card and stay connected.
Personal Brand
Aside from your companies Facebook page or Youtube channel, you need to have your own platform that you use in a personal way. Keep your personal social media 90% personal and normal but 10%. What I mean is, post on there once a week or twice a month about your roofing experience. For example, a picture of you on a roof your you talking to the camera about a problem you solved for a customer. This helps you stay top of mind to your friends and family.
Offering A Free Entry Service
Sometimes it helps to offer a free service like a free roof inspection, in order to get your foot in the door. This can work if you're going through a neighborhood that you recently worked in or if you're trying to break into a new market such as commercial work with property managers or facility managers.
Sub For A Larger Brand
Sometimes larger brands like Lowes or Home Depot will offer roofing but then sub the work out. So you might be able to become a certified installer for another brand. They will typically have an easy background check process to make sure your paperwork is in order and then they will start giving you work.
Social Media Strategy
Youtube is the second largest search engine and few roofing companies are using this platform. But whatever platform you choose, go all in. Post as much information on there as possible. Tell stories, show your work, and most importantly, educate your customers. When you educate, you show yourself to be the expert and people trust experts.
Not Email
Most people would expect you to say that emailing customers will bring you leads. While email works for some industries, I believe that for roofers, social media is the new email. If we worked to get people to follow our social media as much as we try to get their email, we would see a larger ROI. We all ignore spam email, why do we think our customers would be any different.
So rather than inviting people to your email list, text them an invite to follow you on IG or whatever platform you have of choice.
Cross Market With Similar Industry
There are other industries that work with your ideal target market, such as HVAC companies or any other sort of home improvement. Network with these companies and do some marketing for each other. Refer each other or share a social media post on each others platforms.
Builders And Contractors
Another proven way to get free roofing leads is from builders and contractors. First, look for local builders and contractors associations or groups. Many of these organizations offer directories or lists of their members, which can be a great source of leads. You can also search online directories or websites.
Visit their offices and build a connection, find a way to bring them value. Sometimes they are already looking for a good roofer, so simply share your services and ask if they need help.
Facility Managers
Most large buildings have facility managers, so every time you go into any sort of business, ask around for the facility manager. You can also find local associations and groups or events for facility managers. Once you start getting some work from one manager, network through them to other managers. After a few repairs, there will be a day when they need a full roof replacement. So keep that relationship and serve them well.